In the leafy suburb of Eaglemont, just 10km from Melbourne’s CBD in Australia, Villa XXIII by FGR Architects is more than a home, it’s a contemporary interpretation of the area’s artistic heritage. Sitting below a site once beloved by Australia’s early Impressionist painters, the residence blends sculptural refinement with a deep connection to the surrounding landscape.
Stretching low and long across two steeply sloping allotments, the house’s horizontal form follows the contours of the hillside. Its design balances three distinct zones: a private wing for bedrooms and living, a central breezeway for outdoor entertaining, and a wellness-focused wing with gym and guest suite. Materials like travertine, concrete, glass and stone give the home a timeless weight and elegance, while expansive glazing and ceilings create a light-filled, open atmosphere.
The home’s placement is carefully attuned to mature vegetation and neighbouring sightlines, allowing it to feel both open and private. Landscaping softens the bold architectural lines, with curved stairways guiding movement across the sloping site, making the transition between levels feel natural and fluid.
An infinity-edge pool sits at the western end, offering a seamless connection to the gym and guest suite. The pool’s position maximises sunlight and views, while balconies extend living spaces outdoors, framing the surrounding treetops and skyline.
The entryway to the home is defined by precision detailing and a sense of calm. Inside, a circular skylight becomes a sculptural feature, casting shifting light across a verdigris marble wall, a subtle reminder of the home’s artistic inspiration.
In the private wing, the living and dining areas flow together, opening onto the outdoors through full-height glazing. The restrained palette and clean lines keep the focus on natural light and framed views.
The expansive kitchen with its U-shaped island, shares the same open plan, with space for both everyday living and entertaining. Its finishes match the home’s overall tone of understated luxury, marrying function with architectural precision.
The central breezeway offers a weather-protected lounge and garden retreat. This covered space connects the home’s wings while serving as a year-round outdoor living area.
Part of the wellness-focused west wing, the gym opens directly to the pool terrace, creating an effortless link between exercise, relaxation and the outdoors.
At the heart of the home, an elegant interior spiral staircase becomes a sculptural centerpiece. Its curved form contrasts the home’s strong horizontal lines, creating a sense of movement between levels. The design is as much an artwork as it is a functional element, catching light from above and casting shifting shadows throughout the day.
Bedrooms are positioned for privacy and outlook, with views over the surrounding greenery visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The minimal interiors allow natural light and the landscape to take centre stage.
Villa XXIII is a study in balance, between architecture and landscape, legacy and modernity, weight and lightness. In its restrained material palette, sculptural detailing and site-specific design, the home captures the essence of Eaglemont’s creative heritage while offering a refined, contemporary way of living.
Photography by Peter Bennetts
